ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
Hi all :)
I'm 28yo and approaching the verge of buying my very own B&o setup and wanted to ask for your wisdom and advice.
My father has a BeoSystem 2500 with Pentas MK3 , I grew up around these, polishing them , cleaning them, and putting them together and taking them apart whenever we moved so I feel like I've been a part of this community for years without ever having owned my own B&o haha
The thing is I've always wanted my own setup and now having been working and saving for about 2-3 years I'm somewhat in a position to do so - ideally I wanted a Beolab 18 with essence setup because to be honest I'd only ever use it wirelessly through my phone as I don't own any music physically. I know I'm a little below the average age of this forum haha but I use streaming services for all of my music or the radio.
That kit however is WAY out of my budget considering I'm renting at the min so I was going to put it off into the future but a friend of mine convinced me I need to live a little and maybe get something I CAN afford until I can get the ideal setup I dream of. So I was thinking of going for the Beosound 2 for 1500GBP odd but it has a lot less presence but then I stumbled upon the second hand market for BeoSound 8000s and there are ALOT of them out there of varying conditions and ages.
Don't mean to be so long winded but I suppose what I want to ask is considering the music I listen to is quite bass heavy should I opt for Mark 2 8000s? (I gather these have enhanced bass? but I don't know for certain and tend to go for 2x the price of the MK 1 online , MK I can get for 400-500 a pair , MK 2 nothing is below 800 GBP) - is this worth the difference?
Secondly, would an essence work to make them wireless and would the essence be better or a Core which I think is now the replacement for the essence since the "shape" came out.
So that is what I'm thinking BeoSound 8000s (MK1 or MK2) with an essence but if I go MK2 I may as well get the BeoSound 2 for that price no? I'm really at a loss and would appreciate some advice on this - I don't want to shell out more that 1500 GBP tops but I really want some B&o in my life right now I've waited too long for this!
Lastly, I'm so too pleased to finally be posting on this forum I've been reading, learning and laughing along with you all for years from the sidelines feeling as though I didn't belong without having my own but the thread "Show off your Bang and Olufsen" really showed me you don't need to have the newest most expensive kit to really enjoy and appreciate the beauty of B&o - so I will now update my signature with my only B&o product that I own in the hope I'll one day join the lofty ranks of you lot ;)
- Thank you in advance for the help love from Scotland :D
new to the game - awaiting my first BL 8000s MK1
I don't think you will notice a difference beetwen mk1 and mk2 speakers.
Yes the bass improved on paper but in real life I won't bother the extra £.
Try to find a pair that been cherished whatever the MK.
Hello,
I upgraded my MK1 (1999) to MK2 speakers. There were a couple of versions on the upgrade and I went all in.
Speaker cones and some circuitry was changed. You can tell the difference in mid range testing at certain volumes side by side against MK1 units, otherwise maybe not. I do understand the upgrade fixed a few problems. One being the failing of a speaker at medium to high volumes in certain circumstances, though I don't believe these issues were widespread. The upgrade created a louder sounding speaker in different ranges.
Eventually some MK1 and 2 speakers did have corrections made by B&O service when the mid range or crossover circuitry failed. B&O service at the time could check against the speakers serial number.
When making your choice perhaps run an extended test at a reasonable volume and listen clearly to each speaker. A 2nd or 3rd purchaser may have very different listening requirements to that of the original owner so pro longed listening, concentrating on the mid range, is the best you can do, other than asking for a warranty.
Good luck Beoaus.
Beo4 'til I die!
As you listen to the same type of music as me, bass heavy, I don't think you should by a pair of 8000.
I would get a pair of 4000 or 6000 with a beolab 2 sub, that would work better.
The pentas are also a good idea and very good value for money.
If you get the 8000 then turn them up really high the bass will disappear.
Regards
Kiran
Born in NL; I ride ML
I've opted for BL 8000 with a BL 2 sub
Thing is my dad has pentas MK2 already so I feel like I own a pair of those without having them in my own house haha
Gone with BL 8000 around £450 , trying to get a BL 2 for around £500 max and then cables and essence will take me to £1500 *sad face*
Wayyy better value for money than a BeoSound 2 thougg right? And much more fun haha!
"You think we can slap some oak on this thing?"
leogoeswild:Do remember that the Essence will eventually loose Spotify support.
BeoNut since '75
Do keep in mind that the BL 8000 have a serious foam issue that might render them broken at some point. You might want to research this and check if yours are affected.
I've had Beolab 8000 MK1 & MK2 side by side and struggle to find the different.
peace of mind, the MK2 are going to be much newer, which is a plus!
Hey man :) thanks for chipping in,
I did not know this very useful to know - why is this? and would you know about the Core having the same issue?
Have looked into this and one of the speakers has recently been repaired in this regard already as recently as July I think , the seller has provided receipts for the repairs which includes a replacement tweeter, reforming etc
Although this now mean the other will go soon so I'll be pre-emptively doing the other one myself before it corrodes the boards - I've found help on this forum already but a little scared going it alone tbh
Hiya ,
def a plus! however it would push my budget beyond 1500GBP seeing as I want a BL2 and will need either a Core or Essence to play through
Apple fan?
Didn't notice...
Hadn't considered an iPad I don't have one but may be an addition to the setup ...this is becoming an expensive hobby haha!